What is the HISTORY of squash, and how did squash begin ?

Answer 1

The origins of the game of "Squash" is a rather elusive subject, with tantalising leads going in a number of directions, but invariably leading to a dead end, rather, it seems, the game of "Squash Rackets" as it was known up until recently, evolved with a number of influences shaping its creation.


The first known reference to a rebounding ball game was made by an English schoolmaster in 1581. More recently, in 1865, a game which had evolved from the English game of "Rackets" was played in an enclosed court at the Harrow school. This lead to the building of similar courts at Rugby, and at other private houses and clubs.


At that time there, was no standard size for courts, the standard court finally being formalised after the first world war. The process was started by the Tennis and Rackets Association in 1911 but it was not until 1922 that Championships were played. The rackets used at the turn of the century were not unlike those which are used today (although not nearly as efficient) but the balls differed greatly.


Balls were constructed of thin rubber and were quite soft. They also had a number of holes in them which caused the ball to collapse when hit hard. This 'squashy" ball along with the "Rackets" connection were probably the origins of the name of "Squash Rackets".


From being a sport that was seen as a "second" sport for most of the early part of this century, it quickly spread into a game that is now played world wide in over 120 countries.




In Australia the first squash courts were built in 1913 at the Melbourne Club in Collins Street, but we had to wait until 1934 before an official squash association was formed. Although named Squash Rackets Association of Australia (SRAA) it was mainly concerned with local competition.


When, in 1938 the Squash Rackets Association of Victoria was set up the SRAA took on a national role when eighteen clubs from Victoria, New South Wales and South Australia joined.


Although National Championships for men and women were held since the early thirties, they were, in fact, Victorian State Championships. It was not until 1938 that they became truly national. Interstate team competition commenced at that time.


SRAA headquarters moved from Melbourne in 1960 then again to Brisbane in 1976. In 1971 it Merged with the Australian Women's Squash Rackets Association and became the Australian Squash Rackets Association. In 1990 the name Squash Australia was adopted.


Despite the changes that the sport has undergone from those uncertain beginnings, it is clear from all that has been written on the sport in that time, that the game of squash has exercised a certain power over its aficionados, a power that still draws people into the game today.